The bottom line: Recent repairs affect your car's market value by changing what buyers expect to spend after they buy. A repair done last month signals they won't face that cost soon. The same repair done two years ago means nothing to them. Visible and functional repairs eliminate the red flags buyers use to negotiate your price down. Accident repairs...
Mechanical Issues
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5 Car Repairs that Increase Vehicle Resale Value
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 12 min
Last updated: April 16, 2026
The bottom line: Five repairs consistently pay off before you sell: paint and body work, windshield repairs, tires and brakes, lights and basic electrical, and fluid top-offs. These are the fixes where the money you spend comes back as a higher sale price. Paint is the biggest mover on this list. Scratches and dents can cut your car's value by...
How Much Does a Car Repair Cost? (2026 Data)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 21 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: There's no single answer to what a car repair costs. The bill depends on what's broken, what you drive, where you live, and which shop you walk into. Two people with the same problem on the same car can get quotes that are hundreds of dollars apart. The biggest variable most drivers don't think about is location....
How to Sell a Car with a Broken Engine Control Unit (ECU)?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 10 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: Your car's ECU failed and you need to know who will buy it and what to expect. If your car won't start at all, online buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy are your fastest path. They buy non-running cars, tow for free, and pay on the same day they pick up. If your car still drives despite ECU...
How to Sell a Car with a Failed Alternator?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 14 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: Whether to fix or sell a car with a failed alternator comes down to one question: is your car worth more than $1,500? If yes, fixing the alternator first is usually worth it. If not, sell it as-is to online buyers like Wheelzy, Peddle, CarBrain, or Cash for Cars. All four buy non-running cars and include free...
How to Sell a Car with Electrical Problems?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 9 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: You have two real paths for selling a car with electrical problems. If the repair is cheap and your car is worth fixing, you can get it done and sell privately for more money. If the problem is major or you just want it gone, online buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy will buy it as-is, tow it...
How to Sell a Car with Blown Head Gasket?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 7 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: Your mechanic just told you that fixing your blown head gasket will cost thousands of dollars, possibly more than your car is worth. Instead of sinking money into expensive repairs, selling your car as-is is often the smarter move. Companies like Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars specialize in buying cars with blown head gaskets. They pick them up...
How to Sell a Car with Exhaust System Problems?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 9 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: The challenge with exhaust problems depends on which one you have. A loud muffler is easy to disclose and most private buyers don't walk away over it. But a failed catalytic converter is a different story. It means your car will fail an emissions test, and roughly half of US states require emissions testing to register a...
How to Sell a Car with Suspension Problems?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 7 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: For quick, hassle-free sales, get quotes from specialized damaged car buyers like Peddle, Wheelzy, and CarBrain. These companies are built for exactly this situation and often offer more than you'd expect. If you want the most money and don't mind extra work, sell privately through Facebook Marketplace, but be upfront about the issues. Avoid mainstream platforms like...
How to Sell a Car with a Dead Battery?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 6 min
Last updated: April 15, 2026
The bottom line: You have two clear paths: replace the battery and sell privately for the most money, or sell as-is to online car buyers for maximum convenience. If you're confident it's just a dead battery and your car is worth over $1,500, replacing the battery usually pays for itself in a higher sale price. If you want zero hassle...
How to Sell a Car with Failed Emission Test? (Best Places)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 15 min
Last updated: April 14, 2026
The bottom line: A failed emissions test doesn't mean you're stuck with the car. You have three real options: repair it, get an emissions waiver, or sell as-is. Which one makes sense depends almost entirely on what repairs cost versus what the car is worth. Services like Peddle, Wheelzy, CarBrain, and CashForCars buy cars with failed emissions tests and handle...
How to Sell a Ford F-150 with a Blown Engine? (or Fix it?)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 10 min
Last updated: April 14, 2026
The bottom line: A blown engine in your Ford F-150 puts you at a fork in the road: repair it or sell it as-is. Repair makes sense when the truck is under 7 years old, the rest of it is in good shape, and the total repair cost stays under 50% of what the truck would be worth running. For...
How to Identify Car Problems? (If You’re Not a Car Person)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 19 min
Last updated: April 14, 2026
The bottom line: You don't need to be a mechanic to spot car trouble. By tuning into your senses, you can identify most problems early. Listen for odd sounds, check for warning lights, and notice any unusual smells or vibrations. Catching problems early matters. Repair costs have risen in recent years, so the sooner you spot a problem, the less...
When is it Not Worth Repairing a Car? (Sell vs Fix)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 13 min
Last updated: April 14, 2026
The bottom line: It's typically not worth repairing your car when: Repairs cost more than 50% of your car's current value You're facing multiple major repairs at once You've had several expensive repairs in the past year Safety issues can't be properly addressed Essential parts are hard to find or extremely expensive The same problem keeps returning despite repairs Use...
Sell a Car with a Blown Engine (Who Gives the Most Cash?)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 5 min
Last updated: April 13, 2026
The bottom line: Your car has a blown engine, and you're considering selling it. Rather than taking it to a junkyard that might charge for pickup, there are better options available. Private sales typically yield the highest return but demand a lot of time. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can help you get the most money if you're willing...
How to Sell a Car with Mechanical Problems? (If It’s Broken)
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 6 min
Last updated: April 3, 2026
The bottom line: To sell a car with mechanical problems, get quotes from online car buyers first. You enter your car's details online, get an offer in minutes, and they come to pick it up for free. You don't need to repair anything or drive the car anywhere. Have your title ready before you start. That's the one thing that...
How to Sell a Car with a Bad Transmission?
Author: Tomas Gutauskas
Reading time: 8 min
Last updated: April 3, 2026
The bottom line: When you suspect your transmission has failed, get a mechanic to identify the real problem with a repair estimate. Once you know exactly how much it will cost to fix, you have two choices: sell it privately "as is" while detailing the issues, or sell to car buying companies like Peddle or Wheelzy who will come and...